Magic Dance lives up to historic favoritism in Churchill's Debutante
Heavily-favored Magic Dance collared California invader Cholula Lips with a furlong to run and won Saturday’s 119th running of the $125,000 Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs by 1 ½ lengths on closing day of the 38-day Spring Meet.
Off at odds of 1-5 in the field of eight, Magic Dance clocked six furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.26. Ricardo Santana Jr. rode the winner for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and Goncalo Torrealba’s Three Chimneys Farm LLC.
The triumph was Asmussen’s fifth in the Debutante. Previously he won with Cashier’s Dream (2001), Effectual (2005), Richwoman (2006) and Rated Fiesty (2007). Three Chimneys Farm was also co-owner of last year’s Debutante winner, Restless Rider.
“This is a very special win for us for Three Chimneys Farm, and this horse was broke at my parents' ranch in Laredo, Texas," Asmussen said. "She proved today that the three-quarter distance was no problem.”
Breaking from post No. 6, Magic Dance tracked three-wide from third as My Good Girl and Cholula Lips ran a quick first quarter mile in :21.51. Cholula Lips took the lead on the turn and opened up a 1 ½-length advantage from Magic Dance at the head of the stretch, but Magic Dance wore down her rival down the lane and cleared the field in the final stages.
The victory was worth $75,175 which increased the 2-year-old filly’s earnings to $114,175 with a perfect record in two starts. Prior to her Debutante triumph, Magic Dance broke her maiden at Churchill Downs on June 7 by 4 ¾ lengths at odds of 8-1.
“She got herself into a perfect position early on in the race," Santana Jr. said. "She was ready to run today and fought back against (Cholula Lips) on our inside. That was a very nice performance.”
Magic Dance paid $2.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Her Debutante win payoff equaled the race’s low $2 win mutuel shared by the likes of Flyweight (1944), Silverbulletday (1998) and Chilukki (1999).
Cholula Lips, at odds of 6-1 under RafaelBejarano, returned $3.80 and $3.60. Lady Glamour, at 33-1 with James Graham up, was 2 ¼ lengths back of the runner-up and paid $8.
Indy Takes Charge, Secretly Wicked, My Good Girl, Megan Marie and Lady George completed the order of finish. Street Flyer was scratched.
Magic Dance is a 2-year-old daughter of More Than Ready out of the Distorted Humor mare Magical World. She was bred in Kentucky by her owners.
The Debutante, first staged in 1895 and one of Churchill Downs’ most storied races, was one the second of three stakes races on Saturday’s closing day card at Churchill Downs.